Ghana, Ayitepa

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Lekela’s Ayitepa wind project, located on the south eastern coastal region of Ghana, is working towards financial close and is ready to build and supply electricity during the testing phase to the grid by 2020. The project will begin with 150MW with the potential to add a further 75MW.

It is at an advanced stage of development having:

A 25-year Power Purchase Agreement with the Electricity Company of Ghana that was initially signed in 2017 and has since been amended.

A signed grid connection agreement with the Ghana Grid Company.

Obtained all the permits required to begin construction including those required under Environmental and Civil Aviation Regulations.

Completed all major environmental and social governance work streams to ensure that the project follows IFC’s Performance Standards and the Equator Principles.

Having completed an extensive wind resources assessment using meteorological masts and LIDAR, Ayitepa is now moving towards financial close, working in close conjunction with the Ghanaian Government. Once this is achieved, construction will take approximately 18 months, however the first turbines will be erected already nine months financial close. The first power will be supplied to the grid during the testing period in Q4 2020 with full operation by second half of 2021.

Like with every Lekela project, providing long-term benefits beyond power to the local community is a key focus. As part of the project’s commitment to the communities living nearby, it will set aside a portion of its annual revenues to support local investment schemes. These initiatives will be targeted at agriculture, job creation, livelihood improvement, promotion of local business and education.

Such investments have commenced ahead of construction. For example, in March 2017 the wind farm completed a six-month project to refurbish three local schools to provide a safer and more effective teaching environment.

The project will deliver economic and clean power to the people of Ghana, helping the country increase access to electricity and meeting its renewable energy target of 10 per cent by 2020.

The Ayitepa wind farm will provide approximately 400GWh each year of clean, economic and renewable energy to the national grid. It will also help Ghana avoid emitting 200,000 tons of CO2/year into the atmosphere which would normally come from oil or gas power stations.